Design and Synthesis of Metalloporphyrin Nanoconjugates for Dual Light-Responsive Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

J Med Chem. 2024 Feb 8;67(3):2004-2018. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01841. Epub 2024 Jan 19.

Abstract

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) utilizes photosensitizers (PSs) that eradicate a broad spectrum of bacteria in the presence of light and molecular oxygen. On the other hand, some light sources such as ultraviolet (UVB and UVC) have poor penetration and high cytotoxicity, leading to undesired PDT of the PSs. Herein, we have synthesized conjugatable mesosubstituted porphyrins and extensively characterized them. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations revealed that metalloporphyrin EP (5) is a suitable candidate for further applications. Subsequently, the metalloporphyrin was conjugated with lignin-based zinc oxide nanocomposites (ZnOAL and ZnOKL) to develop hydrophilic nanoconjugates (ZnOAL@EP and ZnOKL@EP). Upon dual light (UV + green light) exposure, nanoconjugates showed enhanced singlet oxygen generation ability and also demonstrated pH responsiveness. These nanoconjugates displayed significantly improved APDT efficiency (4-7 fold increase) to treat bacterial infection under dual light irradiation.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents*
  • Metalloporphyrins* / pharmacology
  • Nanoconjugates / chemistry
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Nanoconjugates
  • Metalloporphyrins
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents